Workplace Health and Wellbeing

A special issue of Behavioral Sciences (ISSN 2076-328X). This special issue belongs to the section "Organizational Behaviors".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 October 2025) | Viewed by 3729

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Health Research, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YW, UK
Interests: workplace interventions; wellbeing of employees; work-life balance; workplace culture

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Workplace health and wellbeing is a growing and critical area of focus in contemporary research and practice, as organisations and employees navigate evolving challenges and opportunities in the modern working environment. The concept of workplace health and wellbeing encompasses a holistic understanding of employee health, extending beyond physical safety to include physical, psychological, emotional, environmental, and social dimensions. As workplaces continue to adapt to technological advancements, globalisation, and changing workforce expectations, the importance of fostering environments that prioritise health and wellbeing has never been greater.

This Special Issue invites submissions which explore the multifaceted nature of workplace health and wellbeing. We are particularly interested in original research, theoretical perspectives, and applied studies that address key issues such as work policies, work–life balance, and the role of leadership in promoting a healthy workplace culture. We also welcome contributions that examine emerging themes, such as the impact of hybrid working models, the integration of mental health initiatives, and the influence of diversity, equity, and inclusion on employee wellbeing.

By featuring diverse perspectives and interdisciplinary approaches, this Special Issue seeks to advance our understanding of the factors that impact and support workplace health and wellbeing and offer practical insights for organisations and policymakers. We therefore encourage submissions that address health and wellbeing across various industries and global contexts, recognising that workplace culture and wellbeing strategies are often shaped by regional, cultural, and sector-specific factors.

In addition to empirical research, we invite case studies, systematic reviews, and interventions that contribute to the growing body of knowledge in this field. This Special Issue aims to serve as a resource for academics, practitioners, and leaders committed to creating sustainable and thriving workplaces.

Dr. Abigail Morris
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • workplace health and wellbeing
  • employee health
  • hybrid working
  • sustainable work
  • job quality
  • diversity and inclusion
  • flexible working

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

21 pages, 353 KB  
Article
Workplace Mental Health Status Among Academic Staff: Psychological Distress, Burnout, and Organisational Culture at a South African University
by Veena Abraham, Johanna C. Meyer, Kebogile Elizabeth Mokwena and Edward Duncan
Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(10), 1410; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15101410 - 16 Oct 2025
Viewed by 383
Abstract
Mental health challenges in academic settings are increasingly recognised, yet research on staff wellbeing remains limited, particularly within African universities. This study provides the first institution-wide assessment of psychological distress and burnout among academic staff at a South African university. A cross-sectional survey [...] Read more.
Mental health challenges in academic settings are increasingly recognised, yet research on staff wellbeing remains limited, particularly within African universities. This study provides the first institution-wide assessment of psychological distress and burnout among academic staff at a South African university. A cross-sectional survey using validated tools, the 28-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28 ) and the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI) was administered to 157 academic employees, and data were analysed using descriptive statistics, non-parametric tests, and ordinal regression. The median age of participants was 42 years (Interquartile range [IQR] = 34–50; SD = 11.4), and the majority of participants were female (n = 110, 70%). The sample included staff across academic ranks, with lecturers being the most common (n = 64, 41%). Results showed that nearly half of participants (49%) exhibited severe psychological distress, and over a quarter (27%) reported high levels of burnout. Female staff reported significantly higher distress and burnout scores compared to their male counterparts. Less than a third (28%) of participants reported feeling safe to disclose mental health concerns, while over half expressed dissatisfaction with institutional support. Participants indicated strong support for both individual-level services, such as confidential counselling and workshops, and systemic changes, including flexible work arrangements and leadership-driven mental health initiatives. Findings highlight the need for integrated, participatory mental health strategies that are culturally and contextually tailored. These results offer timely evidence to inform the development of institutional strategies, policies, and practices to promote mental health among academic staff. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Workplace Health and Wellbeing)
13 pages, 291 KB  
Article
Rest to Resist: How Recovery Shields Well-Being from Work–Family Strain
by Cátia Sousa and Laura Silva
Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(8), 1089; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15081089 - 12 Aug 2025
Viewed by 796
Abstract
This study examines the mediating role of recovery experiences in the relationship between work–family conflict (WFC) and employee well-being. While WFC has been consistently linked to negative outcomes such as psychological distress and reduced life satisfaction, the mechanisms that may buffer its effects [...] Read more.
This study examines the mediating role of recovery experiences in the relationship between work–family conflict (WFC) and employee well-being. While WFC has been consistently linked to negative outcomes such as psychological distress and reduced life satisfaction, the mechanisms that may buffer its effects remain underexplored. Drawing on the Conservation of Resources Theory and the Effort-Recovery Model, we investigated whether four types of recovery experiences—psychological detachment, relaxation, mastery, and control—mediate the WFC–well-being relationship. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 240 employees using validated self-report instruments. Data were analysed through correlation, regression, and mediation techniques, including bootstrapping procedures via PROCESS. The results confirmed a significant negative association between WFC and well-being. All four recovery experiences were positively related to well-being, with relaxation emerging as the strongest predictor. Mediation analyses showed that each of the recovery experiences partially mediated the relationship between WFC and well-being. These findings highlight the importance of recovery as a psychological buffer in the context of elevated work–family interference. Organizational practices that foster recovery—such as encouraging psychological detachment, offering flexible schedules, and promoting restorative activities—may contribute to sustaining employee mental health and resilience. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Workplace Health and Wellbeing)
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16 pages, 532 KB  
Article
The Impact of Work Connectivity Behavior on Employee Time Theft: The Role of Revenge Motive and Leader–Member Exchange
by Cuiying Wang, Jianfeng Huang and Jianping Zhu
Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(6), 738; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15060738 - 27 May 2025
Viewed by 1535
Abstract
Organizations have long been actively seeking ways to reduce unethical behavior among employees. However, employee time theft is widespread and costly across various industries, and related research remains relatively limited. Therefore, this study employed social exchange theory to empirically investigate how and when [...] Read more.
Organizations have long been actively seeking ways to reduce unethical behavior among employees. However, employee time theft is widespread and costly across various industries, and related research remains relatively limited. Therefore, this study employed social exchange theory to empirically investigate how and when work connectivity behavior promotes employee time theft. Drawing on a sample of 330 employees, our findings indicate that work connectivity behavior positively impacts employee time theft by triggering revenge motives among employees. Furthermore, it was discovered that leader–member exchange weakens both the direct effect of work connectivity behavior on revenge motive and the indirect effect of work connectivity behavior on employee time theft via revenge motive. This research developed and elucidated a moderated mediation model, providing valuable insights for both theory and practice. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Workplace Health and Wellbeing)
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